Meet St. Dominic, Catholic Priest and First Dominican Friar

Why become a Dominican Friar as either a Catholic priest or religious brother? Because you see needs in the Church and hear the call from God to serve. That’s what prompted St. Dominic to found the Order of Preachers (the Dominicans) in the first place.

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Anytime humanity has fallen into doubt, troubles or sin, the Lord calls forth prophets to teach and heal. Even though the first thousands of years of Christianity saw great growth throughout Europe, pockets of spiritual thirst and sacramental hunger remained. In the beginning of the thirteenth century, the Lord inspired a Spanish priest, Dominic de Guzman, to rise as a prophet and a preacher to quench spiritual thirst, to satisfy sacramental hunger, to heal the wounds of sin.

St Dominic was a man sensitive and alive to the world around him. Born in Caleruega in 1170, he later studied in Palencia, and became a canon at the cathedral of Osma. Because of Dominic’s intellectual abilities as well as his keen sense of fraternal and community life, he was appointed sub-prior in 1201. Two years later Dominic embarked on a diplomatic trip into the Albi region of Southern France.

A strong zeal for the salvation of souls was enkindled when the young canon encountered an innkeeper who was steeped in the errors of the Catharists, a heresy which threatened the region. Although other religious had been commissioned to preach in the region, little progress had been made. After a long night of intense discussion, the light of truth prevailed and the innkeeper returned to the practice of the Faith. To this day, many Dominican Friars, such as our own Fr. Auggie, honor St. Dominic by preaching and teaching in pubs.

Dominic’s spiritual vision became clearer as he journeyed through southern France and witnessed the effects of the heresy. To combat the false teachings, Dominic realized the impact that priests with a mandate for itinerant preaching could have if they witnessed to authentic poverty and a purity of heart. Yet Dominic’s vision was universal, and he saw a need in the Church, which extended beyond the region of Albi.

Dominic also established convents of nuns who would pray for the conversion of sinners and also for the fidelity and perseverance of the friars. The first foundation of nuns was established in Prouille in 1207, and the formal foundation of the Dominican fathers was established in 1216. As the Order of Preachers spread through Europe, the Third Order developed which includes sisters and the laity. In the legacy of St. Dominic, the Dominican friars still serve as chaplains to our Dominican sisters, laity, and cloistered Dominican nuns to this day.

Fr. César Valero Bajo, OP, the Promoter General for the Dominican Nuns throughout the world, meets with an assembly of nun representatives. (Photo courtesy of Dominican nuns at the Monastery of the Infant Jesus in Lufkin, TX.)

Dominic’s genius was one of renewal and transformation of existing monastic customs and traditions. The Rule of St. Augustine was adopted and a democratic form of government was instituted to allow the Friars greater freedom to preach the Gospel – the central focus of the Order. As mendicants those in the Order were allowed to leave the cloister to study and teach at universities, to preach and to bring solace to those in need of healing.This revolutionary form of religious life is characterized by a strong sense of balance. Clothed in the distinctive habit of the Order, the Dominican balances the black of penance with the white of purity. In teaching and preaching, the Dominican discovers the artful balance of truth and charity. In living a common life in the cloister and leaving to preach the Word, the Dominican treasures the silence of contemplation with the zeal of the apostles. Just as St. Dominic’s life was punctuated by night vigils, fasting, prayer, and penance, the Dominican punctuates the secular world with the grace, life and light of Christ. With the rosary in reach the successors of St. Dominic continue to serve the Church, as faithful witnesses to the Word with a devoted affection for His Mother.

The Church and world today need Dominican Friars, both priests and brothers, as much as it did 800 years ago, if not more. Jesus Christ may be calling you to walk in the footsteps of St. Dominic. Answer his call!

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(This history of St. Dominic is adapted from and used with permission of the Dominican Province of the Assumption.)

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We are the Dominican Friars of Memphis, part of the worldwide Order of Preachers founded in 1216. We have continuously served Memphis since 1845. We are part of the Province of Saint Martin de Porres in the Order of Friars Preachers serving the Southern United States.

This vocations website is part of our community’s Holy Preaching – inspiring others via spoken and written word to answer God’s call to be a priest, brother or friar.